Downtown Marion and the Marion Young Professionals have been organizing a series of Cash Mobs throughout the summer that they say have been very well received by the businesses involved. Their next mob is set for Thursday, July 26, and, as always, everyone is invited.
“A Cash Mob,” said Karen Herr, manager of Downtown Marion, “is essentially an organized Flash Mob that supports our local businesses.”
Generally, Herr said, the Cash Mob participants meet at a designated location about 5:15 pm to 5:30 pm and then go to the target business. Each person in the mob is asked to spend at least $10 in that location, and businesses have gift certificates available so if shoppers don't immediately find something they'd like, they can purchase a certificate to give away or use on a future purchase.
The Cash Mob meeting place this Thursday, July 26, is the Chamber/CanDo building parking lot at 205 West Center Street.
“We most often don’t say where we are going, said Herr, “so there are no pre-conceived ideas about the business we are going to. We want people to come and be surprised and amazed at what is offered in Marion.”
Cara Stevens of Marion’s Young Professionals explained, “We spend about 30 minutes at the store and then move on to an after party at another local business.”
Participants can attend both ends of the Cash Mob, or just one part of it. The after party this week will be at Circa, 181 North Main Street.
The goal, said Stevens, is to get Marion people more familiar with Marion businesses. “So many people automatically assume that they can’t find a great gift or item for themselves in Marion. That’s just so not true!”
The upcoming Cash Mob schedule includes:
-
Thursday, July 26: Meet in the Chamber/CanDo building parking lot.
After party at Circa anytime after 5:30. -
Monday, August 13 : Meet at the Marion Convention & Visitors Bureau,
1713 Marion-Mt. Gilead Rd., in the Mallard Square.
After party at Rosa & Rocco’s anytime after 5:30. -
Thursday, August 30: Meet in the City parking lot at Church & Prospect Sts.
After party at Maury’s On Main. -
Monday, September 17 & Thursday, September 27:
Details being finalized.
Herr summed it up by saying, “Where you eat, shop and play is important, and Cash Mobs are an absolutely stupendous way to invest in our local community $10 at a time.”
Further information may be found on the Marion Young Professionals Facebook page, at www.downtownmarion.com, or by calling Herr at 740-382-2181.
Downtown Marion, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is the revitalization of downtown Marion as a central hub for the community.
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